FEATURE
Report by Peter White
It has proved a thoroughly enjoyable
but hectic 12 months for Susie
Sheldon who began her term as High
Sheriff of the Isle of Wight in April
last year.
Susie has averaged about one
engagement every day, but insists she
would not have missed a minute of it,
and the whole experience has made
her further appreciate just how much
‘behind the scenes’ voluntary work
takes place on the Island.
In this exclusive Island Life interview,
she tells of some of the highlights of
the past 12 months. Susie said: “The
year has been hugely enjoyable and
truly amazing because of the number
of interesting people I have met.
There are so many volunteers on the
Island doing so much, and some of the
smaller events I have attended have
been among the best.
“I met Ursula Sawyers, who was 109
years old, and when she was asked how
she was she replied ‘I am very well
really, although I suppose I am about
to die’. She tried on my hat, which was
part of my High Sheriff uniform, and
promptly told me I had a big head!
Those sorts of moments will be very
memorable in the long term.”
There have inevitably been the
grander moments, such as the Legal
processions in both Winchester and
Portsmouth cathedrals, and the Legal
Service parade through the streets
of Newport with the judges in their
gowns and wigs, with Susie smiling:
“People looked and wondered what
was going on, but it is a part of
English tradition that remains very
important.
“I learned an enormous amount
going into the courts and sitting with
the judges, and it made me appreciate
how good our legal system is. If you
are innocent and being tried you
would want to be in England. I am so
impressed with the jury system.”
During her term as High Sheriff,
Susie has been aware of cutbacks and
Top: Susie Sheldon with the judges after the Legal Service parade in Newport
Above left: Susie with her husband Jamie Sheldon
Above right: Susie dons lifeboat gear during her trip to Sandown and Shanklin lifeboat station
job losses on the Island, which has
made life difficult for so many. But at
times she feels that has served to bring
more volunteers forward to try to ease
the burden, and help the community
as a whole.
It has also been satisfying for her that
as someone who lives in West Wight,
she has learned much more about
other areas of the Island, particularly
around Sandown, Shanklin and
Ventnor. She said: “It is a beautiful
area, and there is so much going on,
particularly involving work with the
youth of the Island. I think one of
my only real mistakes was getting
Sandown and Shanklin mixed up when
I was attending a function, but I was
soon sent in the right direction.”
There were three Royal visits
during Susie’s spell as High Sheriff.
She recalls: “The Duke of Kent was
the first one, and he was absolutely
charming. Then the Duke of Wessex
(Prince Edward) came for the Island
Games, and he was a delight. He
doesn’t always get good Press, but he
was brilliant and very entertaining.
Princess Anne also visited during
Cowes Week, and she is always good
value.”
Susie managed to visit most of the
sports during the Island Games last
summer, and admitted: “Some were
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